Surguja division in northern Chhattisgarh occupies a large forested plateau bordering Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh — a region rich in coal, forests, and tribal culture that has historically had very limited air connectivity. Ambikapur, the divisional headquarters and the largest city in the northern Chhattisgarh plateau, received its first taste of regular commercial air service when Maa Mahamaya Airport was formally inaugurated under the UDAN scheme in October 2024. Named after the local goddess Mahamaya, the airport connects this Surguja heartland to Raipur and Bilaspur with small aircraft, carrying the modest but genuine significance of putting Ambikapur on India’s commercial aviation map for the first time in modern memory. Passenger numbers are small — 922 in 2024–25 — but the direction is clear.
Quick Overview: Ambikapur Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Maa Mahamaya Airport |
| Also Known As | Ambikapur Airport / Darima Airport |
| Location | Darima, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh |
| Airport Type | Public — Domestic |
| IATA Code | AHA |
| ICAO Code | VEAP |
| Owner | Government of Chhattisgarh |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Original Airstrip Built | 1950 |
| UDAN Inauguration | October 2024 |
| Runway Designation | 16/34 |
| Elevation | 1,930 ft / 588 m AMSL |
| Distance from City | ~12 km south of Ambikapur city centre |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 922 |
| Current Airline | FlyBig |
| Active Routes | Raipur, Bilaspur |
Ambikapur Airport Location: Darima on the Surguja Plateau
Maa Mahamaya Airport is located at Darima, approximately 12 kilometres south of Ambikapur city centre in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh. The coordinates are 22°59′14.1″N, 83°11′46.1″E, and the elevation at 1,930 feet (588 metres) above mean sea level is among the higher-altitude airports in central India — the Surguja plateau’s elevation gives the region a cooler climate and distinctive landscape compared to the lower Chhattisgarh plains.
Ambikapur is Surguja district’s headquarters and a city of some regional importance as a commercial and educational centre. The surrounding area is notable for the Mainpat plateau (Chhattisgarh’s “mini-Tibet”), the Tattapani hot springs, and dense forest zones. The airport’s position south of the city and the plateau’s topography — hilly, forested terrain — gave the Darima location its historical value as a flat clearing suitable for aircraft operations.
The airstrip at Darima dates to 1950 and has been used historically for small aircraft and helicopter VIP operations. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used the airstrip during her visit in 1974, one of its more notable early uses. For decades after, it served occasional charter and government traffic without any regular scheduled service.
Nearby airports in the regional navigation database include Korba Airport, Raigarh Airport (JSPL), Muirpur Airport, Daltonganj Airport, and Jharsuguda Airport.
Ambikapur Airport Code: IATA AHA and ICAO VEAP
The airport’s IATA code is AHA and its ICAO code is VEAP. AHA is the booking system identifier for Ambikapur, appearing on FlyBig booking platforms and airline scheduling systems. VEAP places the airport in the VE central India block. The airport was formerly known as Darima Airport before being renamed Maa Mahamaya Airport. The renaming was prompted by the local goddess Mahamaya’s significance in Surguja’s cultural and religious life.
Ambikapur Airport Terminal: UDAN-Era Facility on a Historic Airstrip
Maa Mahamaya Airport was inaugurated as a commercial passenger facility under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme in October 2024, marking the beginning of scheduled commercial air service for Ambikapur after decades of dormancy. The terminal is a basic facility appropriate for the airport’s current scale — built to enable UDAN operations rather than handle high passenger volumes.
The runway designation is 16/34 and the facility currently supports small aircraft operations. The aircraft type deployed by FlyBig on the Raipur and Bilaspur routes uses smaller regional aircraft suited to the airport’s current runway capability. There are no aerobridges, no multi-level terminal buildings, and no premium commercial infrastructure at this stage of the airport’s development.
The Wikipedia article on Maa Mahamaya Airport notes that “presently there are no operational flights” — a reference that predates the October 2024 UDAN inauguration. As of mid-2026, FlyBig operates approximately 7 flights per week from Ambikapur, connecting to Raipur and Bilaspur.
Future development plans for the airport mention connecting Ambikapur to Jabalpur, Delhi, Kolkata, and Prayagraj with larger aircraft as the airport grows — but those are aspirational future-phase goals rather than near-term operational commitments.
Ambikapur Airport Connectivity: FlyBig Routes and Regional Reach
By Air: FlyBig is the sole airline operating from Maa Mahamaya Airport as of April to June 2026. It connects Ambikapur to Raipur (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, 249 km) and Bilaspur (seasonal, operated March to May under a FlyBig-Alliance Air arrangement). Approximately 7 flights per week operate from Ambikapur across these routes. Route consistency and frequency should be confirmed on the FlyBig booking platform before travel, as UDAN routes at smaller airports can be suspended or modified based on aircraft availability and demand.
By Road: The airport is 12 km south of Ambikapur via road. Local taxis and private vehicles are the primary ground transport from the city to the terminal. Road distances from Ambikapur connect to Bilaspur (approximately 225 km), Raipur (approximately 375 km), and Raigarh (approximately 150 km). The Ambikapur–Raipur road journey takes approximately 6 to 8 hours depending on conditions, making the air option a meaningful time saver for those routes.
By Rail: Ambikapur Railway Station is located in the city, connected to the South East Central Railway network with services toward Bilaspur, Raipur, and beyond. The station serves as the main long-distance travel alternative for Ambikapur residents.
Nearest Major Airport: Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur (RPR) is the nearest major aviation hub, approximately 375 km south and connected by the FlyBig route when operational. Jharsuguda Airport in neighbouring Jharkhand is also accessible from the north.
Ambikapur Airport Amenities: Early-Stage Passenger Facilities
Maa Mahamaya Airport’s amenities are those of a newly activated UDAN facility in its first operational year. The terminal provides basic check-in processing, security screening, and a passenger waiting area. There are no commercial lounges, duty-free retail outlets, food courts, or dedicated ground transport desks.
The airport handled only 922 passengers in 2024–25 — approximately 2.5 passengers per day averaged across the year — which gives a realistic sense of the current scale. At this volume, the airport functions essentially as a rural regional airstrip with scheduled service rather than a developed commercial facility. Ground transport from the terminal to Ambikapur city is by local taxi over the 12-kilometre road.
Improvements to amenities are expected as traffic grows, in line with AAI’s standard UDAN-scheme airport development model where initial basic infrastructure is activated first, with upgrades following as demand justifies further investment.
FAQs: Ambikapur Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Ambikapur Airport?
A: The IATA code is AHA and the ICAO code is VEAP. The airport is officially named Maa Mahamaya Airport, also known as Darima Airport, located 12 km south of Ambikapur city.
Q2. When did commercial flights start at Ambikapur Airport?
A: Maa Mahamaya Airport was inaugurated for commercial operations under the UDAN scheme in October 2024, connecting Ambikapur to Raipur and Bilaspur for the first time with scheduled passenger service.
Q3. Which airline operates from Ambikapur Airport?
A: FlyBig is the sole commercial carrier, operating approximately 7 flights per week to Raipur and on a seasonal basis to Bilaspur. Verify current schedules directly with FlyBig before booking.
Q4. How many passengers does Ambikapur Airport currently handle?
A: The airport handled 922 passengers in 2024–25, reflecting its status as a newly launched UDAN facility in its first partial year of operations. Traffic is expected to grow as awareness of the service increases.
Q5. What are the future connectivity plans for Ambikapur Airport?
A: Future plans include connecting Ambikapur to Jabalpur, Delhi, Kolkata, and Prayagraj with larger aircraft as the airport develops. These are aspirational targets for future UDAN phases and not confirmed current routes.
